Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes a signal output unit, and a decision unit. The signal output unit includes m (≧2) pieces of fuses, a NAND gate, resistance elements, and an output terminal. The decision unit decides whether n or more pieces (m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of the m pieces of fuses included in the signal output unit, and outputs the result of a decision. When m=n=2, the decision unit is constituted of a NOR gate having two input terminals connected to a respective end of the fuses. Thus, a H-level potential signal is output at an output terminal of the NOR gate when the decision result is affirmative. On the other hand, when the decision result is negative, a L-level potential signal is output at the output terminal.

This application is based on Japanese patent application NO. 2005-259098, the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device.

2. Related Art

Semiconductor devices so far developed include those disclosed in JP-A No. H11-297837, JP-A No. 2005-39220, and JP-A No. 2005-57186. Those semiconductor devices include a fuse. In such semiconductor devices, disconnecting the fuse enables some operations such as adjusting a resistance employed in the semiconductor device and invalidating a defective element to substitute with a normal element. The technique of substituting a defective element with a normal element is utilized, for example, for securing redundancy of a semiconductor storage unit.

Methods of disconnecting the fuse include laser irradiation and loading a current. The former is disclosed in JP-A No. H11-297837, and the latter in JP-A No. 2005-39220 and JP-A No. 2005-57186.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the semiconductor device according to JP-A No. H11-297837. FIG. 7 shows a signal output unit 100 that outputs a binary signal depending on the disconnection status of the fuse, and an internal circuit 110 which is the object of substitution. The signal output unit 100 includes three fuses 101, 102, and 103, so that a NAND gate 107 outputs a high level (hereinafter, H-level) signal when at least one of the fuses 101, 102, and 103 is disconnected. Specifically, each of the fuses 101, 102, and 103 has an end connected to a power supply terminal 108, and the other end connected to an input terminal of the NAND gate 107. Also, the other ends of the fuses 101, 102, and 103 are grounded via a pull-down resistance 104, 105, and 106, respectively.

In the internal circuit 110, the output of the NAND 107 is provided to transfer gates 112 and 113 via an inverter 111. Thus, two address buses 114 and 115 are mutually switched according to the output of the NAND 107.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 7, the desired result from disconnecting the fuse (for example, substitution of the defective element with the normal element) can be obtained, if at least one of the three fuses 101, 102, and 103 is disconnected. Accordingly, there is less likelihood that incomplete disconnection of the fuses 101, 102, and 103 affects the output of the signal output unit 100. In other words, the complete disconnection of the fuse is substantially further assured.

However, the fuse once disconnected may be reconnected with the lapse of time. Accordingly, reducing the likelihood that such change over time affects the output of the signal output unit is also essential in providing a reliable semiconductor device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a signal output unit including m pieces (where m≧2) of fuses provided on a semiconductor substrate and an output terminal that outputs a binary signal depending on a disconnection status of the m pieces of fuses; and a decision unit that decides whether n or more pieces (where m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of the m pieces of fuses, and outputs a result of the decision.

The semiconductor device thus constructed includes the decision unit. The decision unit decides whether n or more pieces of fuses are disconnected. Here, when the probability of reconnection of one of the fuses due to the change over time is denoted by p (0<p<1), the probability of reconnection of all the n pieces of fuses is p^(n). Accordingly, when the decision unit outputs a negative result (i.e. when less than n pieces of fuses are disconnected), executing the disconnection again to ensure that n or more pieces of fuses are disconnected reduces the probability that the change over time affects the output of the signal output unit. In other words, the probability of the change over time of the fuse is substantially reduced.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a semiconductor device comprising: a signal output unit including m pieces (where m≧2) of antifuses provided on a semiconductor substrate and an output terminal that outputs a binary signal depending on a connection status of the m pieces of antifuses; and a decision unit that decides whether n or more pieces (where m≧n≧2) of antifuses are connected out of the m pieces of antifuses, and outputs a result of the decision.

The antifuse may, as with the fuse, be disconnected again because of the change over time, though once connected. However, the semiconductor device thus constructed includes the decision unit. The decision unit decides whether n or more pieces of antifuses are connected. Here, when the probability of redisconnection of one of the antifuses due to the change over time is denoted by q (0<q<1), the probability of redisconnection of all the n pieces of antifuses is q^(n). Accordingly, when the decision unit outputs a negative result (i.e. when less than n pieces of antifuses are connected), executing the connection again to ensure that n or more pieces of antifuses are connected reduces the probability that the change over time affects the output of the signal output unit.

Thus, the present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of reducing probability of a change over time of a fuse or an antifuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a variation of the decision unit in the semiconductor device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of another variation of the decision unit in the semiconductor device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a variation of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another variation of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a conventional semiconductor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be now described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teachings of the present invention and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes.

Hereunder, exemplary embodiments of a semiconductor device according to the present invention will be described in details, referring to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, same constituents are given the identical numerals, and duplicating description will not be repeated.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device 1 includes a signal output unit 10 and a decision unit 20. The signal output unit 10 includes m (where m≧2) pieces of fuses 12 a and 12 b, a NAND gate 14, resistance elements 16 a and 16 b, and an output terminal 18. In this embodiment, m equals two.

The fuses 12 a and 12 b are electrical fuses provided on a semiconductor substrate (not shown). To be more detailed, an insulating layer (not shown) is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and the fuses 12 a and 12 b are disposed on the insulating layer. The fuses 12 a and 12 b are constituted of a conductive material, and designed so as to be disconnected when a current exceeding a predetermined magnitude runs therethrough. A respective end of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is connected to a power supply terminal 13. The respective other end of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is grounded via the resistance elements 16 a and 16 b (pull-down resistance), and also connected to an input terminal of the NAND gate 14.

The output terminal 18 serves to output a binary signal depending on the disconnection status of the two fuses 12 a and 12 b. Specifically, the output terminal 18 outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected, and outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when neither of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected. In this embodiment, the output terminal 18 corresponds to an output terminal of the NAND gate 14. Accordingly, the output of a H-level and a low level (hereinafter, L-level) signal by the NAND gate 14 corresponds to the potential signal of the first and the second magnitude, respectively. To the output terminal 18, for example the internal circuit 110 as shown in FIG. 7 is connected.

The decision unit 20 decides whether n or more pieces (m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of the m pieces of fuses included in the signal output unit 10, and outputs a result of the decision. Since m equals two in this embodiment, naturally n also equals two. The decision unit 20 includes a logic gate that receives the potential of the respective ends of the fuses 12 a and 12 b opposite to the power supply terminal 13 as an input signal, so as to output the result of the decision in a form of an output signal of the logic gate.

In this embodiment, the decision unit 20 is constituted of a NOR gate 22 having two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuses 12 a and 12 b. Accordingly, when the decision result is affirmative, i.e. when the two fuses 12 a and 12 b are both disconnected, a H-level potential signal is output at an output terminal 24 of the NOR gate 22. In contrast, when the decision result is negative, i.e. when only one of the two fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected or neither of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected, a L-level potential signal is output at the output terminal 24.

The semiconductor device 1 offers the following advantageous effects. The semiconductor device 1 includes the decision unit 20. The decision unit 20 decides whether both of the two fuses 12 a and 12 b are disconnected. Here, when the probability of reconnection of one of the fuses due to the change over time is denoted by p (0<p<1), the probability of reconnection of the two fuses is p². Accordingly, when the decision unit 20 outputs a negative result (i.e. when less than n pieces of fuses are disconnected), executing the disconnection again to ensure that the two fuses are disconnected reduces the probability that the change over time affects the output of the signal output unit 10. Thus, this embodiment provides the semiconductor device 1 capable of reducing probability of a change over time of the fuse.

The output terminal 18 of the signal output unit 10 outputs the potential signal of the first magnitude when at least one of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected, and outputs the potential signal of the second magnitude when neither of the fuses 12 a and 12 b is disconnected. Such arrangement substantially increases the disconnection probability of the fuse. Thus, the semiconductor device 1 attains both improvement in disconnection probability of the fuse and reduction in probability of a change over time of the fuse.

The decision unit 20 includes the logic gate that receives the potential of the respective ends of the fuses 12 a and 12 b as an input signal, so as to output the result of the decision in a form of an output signal of the logic gate. Such arrangement provides the decision unit 20 with a simplified configuration, while securing the capability of outputting the affirmative and negative decision result.

The decision unit 20 is constituted of the NOR gate 22 having two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuses 12 a and 12 b. Such configuration further simplifies the structure of the decision unit 20.

In this embodiment, an OR gate may be employed in place of the NOR gate 22. In this case, a L-level signal is output at the output terminal 24 when the decision result is affirmative, and a H-level signal is output when the decision result is negative. Also, when the circuit is configured such that a H-level signal is provided to the input terminal of the NOR gate 22 when the fuses 12 a and 12 b are discnnected and a L-level signal is provided to the input terminal of the NOR gate 22 when the fuses 12 a and 12 b are not disconnected, a NAND gate or an AND gate may be employed in place of the NOR gate 22. It should be noted, however, that the NOR gate or the NAND gate is more preferable to the OR gate or the AND gate, from the viewpoint of the simplicity of the circuit configuration.

The fuses 12 a and 12 b are constituted of an electrical fuse. Accordingly, the fuse 12 a and 12 b can be disconnected by applying a current. This method is superior to laser irradiation in the following aspects.

When disconnecting the fuse by laser irradiation, a certain interval has to be secured between the disconnection point and other elements, in order to prevent the other elements from being affected by the laser irradiation. This impedes the reduction in dimensions of the semiconductor device. Besides, the formation of the fuse additionally requires one or two exclusive photolithography processes, which incurs an increase in number of manufacturing steps and in manufacturing cost. To be more detailed, since an interlayer film is usually provided on the fuse, an opening for the laser irradiation has to be formed in the interlayer film, and the thickness of the interlayer film on the fuse has to be adjusted. Further, when inspecting the semiconductor device that includes such fuse, the laser irradiation is performed to disconnect the fuse after a characteristic test, and then the semiconductor device has to undergo the characteristic test again. Consequently, the number of manufacturing steps and the manufacturing cost are increased. On the contrary, the disconnection by current does not incur the foregoing drawbacks.

Meanwhile, the present inventors have discovered a problem appropriate to the electrical fuse. Specifically, the present inventors have discovered that a heat treatment performed after the disconnection of the electrical fuse may cause the fuse to be reconnected at the disconnected point. Presumably, this is because the material constituting the electrical fuse is caused to move by an influence of electromigration. Therefore, when the electrical fuse is employed, the present invention provides further advantage because of the capability of reducing the probability that the reconnection affects the output of the signal output unit.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device 2 includes the signal output unit 10 and a decision unit 30. The signal output unit 10 includes m (where m≧2) pieces of fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, the NAND gate 14, resistance elements 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c, and the output terminal 18. In this embodiment, m equals three.

The fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c are similarly configured to those described referring to FIG. 1. A respective end of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c is connected to the power supply terminal 13. The respective other end of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c is grounded via the resistance elements 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c, and also connected to the input terminal of the NAND gate 14.

The output terminal 18 serves to output a binary signal depending on the disconnection status of the three fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c. Specifically, the output terminal 18 outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c is disconnected, and outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when none of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c is disconnected.

The decision unit 30 decides whether n or more pieces (m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of the m pieces of fuses included in the signal output unit 10, and outputs the decision result. Here, n is assumed to be two as an example. The decision unit 30 includes a logic gate that receives the potential of the respective ends of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c as an input signal, so as to output the result of the decision in a form of an output signal of the logic gate.

In this embodiment, the decision unit 30 is constituted of three AND gates 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c and a NOR gate 34. The AND gate 32 a (first AND gate) includes two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuse 12 a (first fuse) and the fuse 12 b (second fuse). The AND gate 32 b (second AND gate) includes two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuse 12 b and the fuse 12 c (third fuse). The AND gate 32 c (third AND gate) includes two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuse 12 c and the fuse 12 a. The NOR gate 34 includes three input terminals connected to the output terminal of the AND gates 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c, respectively.

Accordingly, when the decision result is affirmative, i.e. when two or more fuses are disconnected out of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, a L-level signal is output by the AND gate 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c, and a H-level potential signal is output at an output terminal 36 of the NOR gate 34. In contrast, when the decision result is negative, i.e. when none or only one of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c is disconnected, a L-level potential signal is output at the output terminal 36.

In the semiconductor device 2 thus constructed also, since the decision unit 30 decides whether two or more fuses out of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c are disconnected, the probability of the change over time of the fuse can be reduced, as in the semiconductor device 1.

The decision unit 30 is constituted of the three AND gates 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c and the NOR gate 34. Such arrangement provides the decision unit 30 with a simplified configuration, while securing the capability of deciding whether two or more fuses are disconnected out of the three fuses.

Here, the decision unit 30 may be configured in various other ways without limitation to FIG. 2. To cite a few examples, as shown in FIG. 3, the decision unit 30 may include a NAND gate 42 a (first NAND gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, a NAND gate 42 b (second NAND gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 b, 12 c, a NAND gate 42c (third NAND gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 c, 12 a, and a NAND gate 44 (fourth NAND gate) having three input terminals respectively connected to the output terminal of the NAND gates 42 a, 42 b, and 42 c. Such configuration further simplifies the structure of the decision unit 30, because of including only the NAND gates.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the decision unit 30 may include a NOR gate 52 a (first NOR gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, a NOR gate 52 b (second NOR gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 b, 12 c, a NOR gate 52 c (third NOR gate) having two input terminals respectively connected to an and of the fuses 12 c, 12 a, and a NOR gate 54 (fourth NOR gate) having three input terminals respectively connected to the output terminal of the NOR gates 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c. In this case also, the structure of the decision unit 30 is further simplified, because of including only the NOR gates.

Here, in FIGS. 3 and 4, a L-level potential signal is respectively output at the output terminal 46, and 56 when the decision result is affirmative, and a H-level potential signal is respectively output at the output terminal 46, and 56 when the decision result is negative. Other advantages of the semiconductor device 2 are as described with respect to the semiconductor device 1.

The semiconductor device according to the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but various modifications may be made. To cite a few examples, the fuse may be substituted with an antifuse in those embodiments. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device including the antifuse. In FIG. 5, a signal output unit 60 includes m (≧2) pieces of antifuses 62 a, 62 b provided on the semiconductor substrate, a NOR gate 64, resistance elements 66 a, 66 b, and an output terminal 68. In this variation, m equals two. The output terminal 68 outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of the antifuses 62 b, 62 b is connected, and outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when neither of the antifuses 62 b, 62 b is connected.

The decision unit 70 decides whether n or more pieces (m≧n≧2) of fuses are connected out of the m pieces of fuses included in the signal output unit 60, and outputs the decision result. Since m equals two, naturally n also equals two. In this variation, the decision unit 70 is constituted of a NAND gate 72 having two input terminals respectively connected to an end of the antifuses 62 b, 62 b. Accordingly, when the decision result is affirmative, i.e. when the two antifuses 62 b, 62 b are both connected, a L-level potential signal is output at an output terminal 74 of the NAND gate 72. In contrast, when the decision result is negative, i.e. when only one or none of the two antifuses 62 b, 62 b is connected, a H-level potential signal is output at the output terminal 74.

Also, while the foregoing embodiments refer to the case where (m, n) is (2, 2) or (3, 2), m and n may be any integer as long as the relation of m≧n≧2 is satisfied. FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram representing the case of m=n=3 as an example. In FIG. 6, the signal output unit 10 is similarly configured to that shown in FIG. 2. Also, a decision unit 80 is constituted of a NOR gate 82 having three input terminals respectively connected to an end of the fuses 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c. At an output terminal 84 of the NOR gate 82, a H-level and a L-level potential signal is output when the decision result is affirmative and negative, respectively. As is apparent from FIG. 6 as well as from FIG. 1, the decision unit may be generally constituted of a NOR gate having m pieces of input terminals respectively connected to an end of m pieces of fuses, when m equals n.

Further, although the electrical fuse is employed in the foregoing embodiments, a fuse that can be disconnected by laser irradiation may be employed.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified and changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a signal output unit including m pieces of (where m is an integer and m≧2) of fuses provided on a semiconductor substrate and an output terminal that outputs a binary signal depending on a disconnection status of said m pieces of fuses; and a decision unit deciding whether n or more pieces (where m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of said m pieces of fuses, and outputting a result of the decision, wherein said output terminal always outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of said m pieces of fuses is disconnected, and always outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when none of said m pieces of fuses is disconnected, and wherein said decision unit always outputs said potential signal of said first magnitude when n or more pieces of fuses are disconnected, and always outputs said potential signal of said second magnitude when less than two pieces of fuses are disconnected, and wherein said m pieces of fuses are connected to said decision unit without by way of said output terminal, and said m pieces of fuses are connected to said output terminal without by way of said decision unit.
 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said decision unit includes a logic gate that receives a potential of an end of said fuse as an input signal, so as to output said result of said decision in a form of an output signal of said logic gate.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein said decision unit includes a NAND gate or a NOR gate having said m pieces of input terminals connected to an end of each of said fuses.
 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said fuse is an electrical fuse.
 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein said fuse is an electrical fuse.
 6. A semiconductor device, comprising: a signal output unit including m pieces (where m is an integer and m≧2) of antifuses provided on a semiconductor substrate and an output terminal that outputs a binary signal depending on a connection status of said m pieces of antifuses; and a decision unit deciding whether n or more pieces (where M≧n≧2) of antifuses are connected out of said m pieces of antifuses, and outputting a result of the decision, wherein said output terminal always outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of said m pieces of antifuses is connected, and always outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when none of said m pieces of antifuses is connected, and wherein said decision unit always outputs said potential signal of said first magnitude when n or more pieces of antifuses are connected, and always outputs said potential signal of said second magnitude when less than two pieces of antifuses are connected, and wherein said m pieces of antifuses are connected to said decision unit without by way of said output terminal, and said m pieces of antifuses are connected to said output terminal without by way of said decision unit.
 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said decision unit includes a second output terminal, which is different from said output terminal of said signal output unit.
 8. A semiconductor device, comprising: m pieces (where m≧2) of fuses provided on a semiconductor substrate; a first decision unit that outputs a binary signal depending on a disconnection status of said m pieces of fuses; and a second decision unit that decides whether n or more pieces (where m≧n≧2) of fuses are disconnected out of said m pieces of fuses, and outputting a result of the decision, wherein said first decision unit and said second decision unit do decisions in a different manner from each other, wherein said first decision unit always outputs a potential signal of a first magnitude when at least one of said m pieces of fuses is disconnected, and always outputs a potential signal of a second magnitude when none of said m pieces of fuses is disconnected, wherein said second decision unit always outputs said potential signal of said first magnitude when n or more pieces of fuses are disconnected, and always outputs said potential signal of said second magnitude when less than two pieces of fuses are disconnected, and wherein said m pieces of fuses are connected to said first decision unit without by way of said second decision unit, and said m pieces of fuses are connected to said second decision unit without by way of said first decision unit.
 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said decision unit is connected to an end of the m pieces of fuses.
 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein both said first decision unit and said second decision unit are connected to an end of each of the m pieces of fuses.
 11. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein an output of said second decision unit is not input into said first decision unit.
 12. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein said decision unit includes a logic gate that receives a potential of an end of said fuse as an input signal, so as to output said result of said decision in a form of an output signal of said logic gate.
 13. The semiconductor device according to claim 12, wherein said decision unit includes a NAND gate or a NOR gate having said m pieces of input terminals connected to an end of each of said fuses.
 14. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein said fuse is an electrical fuse.
 15. The semiconductor device according to claim 12, wherein said fuse is an electrical fuse.
 16. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein said first decision unit includes a first output terminal, and said second decision unit includes a second output terminal, which is different from said first output terminal of said first decision unit. 